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How to get free laundry with a card operated machine

I moved into a new apartment with a washer/dryer in my place. The only problem is I have to pay to use the washer/dryer. They use one of these new credit card things that has a chip in it that gets read by the machine. I want to know if there's a way I can trick the machine or trick my card so I can get free laundry.
Normally I don't like doing stuff like this, but at 2.00 to wash and 1.50 to dry, I feel ripped off.

Lets see in California the utility cost for each wash cycle runs $1.03 and each 30 minute dry cycle $ 0.74. A simple card operated washer costs $1,800 and up depending on single or dual speed and whether it has a 19 minute cycle or something longer. If you use coins the banks charge 2% to count the coins for deposit. So you take into account the cost of the machine +utilities+ etc. and its a bargan.

***ATTEMPT AT YOUR OWN RISK this is intended for EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY READ DISCLAIMER BELOW ,I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY RESULTING CONSEQUENCES from any attempts to execute this concept as it is only a CONCEPT**** if you have a maytag you can simply open up the panal that has all the buttons on it(although it has tamper proof screws you can use a small flat head if its the hex bolt with the cylinder in the middle to unscrew these very easily, you just need the correct size flat head so it will catch on the middle and the corners of the hex bolt once open there should be a manual in the space covered by the panal), on the back you should find a little white plug that has 2 white wires ( they should loop from one side of the plug back into the other side of it kinda like this >> []3 (but the flat side would be plugged into the circuit board and the 3 would be the wires), they dont connect to anything else its just a circuit loop) if you remove this plug it should put your machine into diagnostic/service mode if you fiddle with the buttons you should be able to start the machine in a diagnostic cycle mode. ( this really will allow you to do your wash for free tricking the machine into thinking it is testing to see if it is functioning properly, when really it is washing your clothes) as for the dryer i havn't figured that out yet but when i do i will def let you know have fun and make sure you unplug the machine before you fiddle with the inside. *****!!!!!!!Do this at your own risk i am not responsible for any illegal activity/ vandalism/ injury/ death/ loss of property which may occur when attempting this method it is purely proof of concept and intended for educational use only!!!!!!*********

I tried this on a privately owned machine, I found the plug when I take it out it goes into some kind of mode. However No matter how I fiddle with the buttons nothing happens, I tried unplugging the card reader and still nothing. it switches between a "dash" mode and then settings like spin and U, no way to get it to do a diagnostic wash.

Hi - well I guess I am considered the enemy in your book. I recently bought a property for which I pay the water. While looking for ways to help with the mortgage and numerous other bills, I came up with the idea of installing a coin operated washer and drier, which would actually help the tenants a lot, since the laundrymat is not too close and the idea is to charge the same. Now my problem is that I do not know where to get the card operated machine which I think would be a lot less hassle than coin operated. So while you are unscrewing panels in the back can you send me the name of the company that actually has this little machines - who knows maybe you get some positive karma back :) thanks!!

I am in the card reader business and have designed a great system to operate washers and dryers that does not require a lot of expense in setting up and is foolproof if you would lie to discuss it send me your phone number to jeff@ashleyoffice.com

Hey Jashley, are you for real? Please email me because I have tenants that abuse the w/d system I installed for convenience and I need a card-system with more security. How expensive are these and how easy are they to hack? I need something foolproof otherwise, I just may have to invent something myself. Please let me know where I can get the card reading w/d ASAP because my newest tenant, she runs the w/d 24-7 and it has been reported that she brings all her family and friends in to wash day and night. I don't want a $2,000 water bill, HELP!!!

There's got to be a way to override the machine itself...i dunno, maybe unhook something so all I have to do is push start and then switch is back when I move out. I'm a big idiot when it comes to electronics.

Many of those type machines have a number of failsafes that keep a simple over-ride from occurring. The local wash house has a magnetic strip card, and sure one could reprogram the strip with extra cash on it, and save about $200 or more a year, and then, after being caught, all your wash would be done for you....for free. And for quite a few years too :-) (free meals too !)

sure one could reprogram the strip with extra cash on it, and save about $200 or more a year,

At the wash house I mentioned, I was incorrect. An account is registered in the uP of the control center of the machines, and the card itself only contains information connecting that card to your account. No amount of fiddling with the card will help.

. As others have mentioned, there are all sorts of interlocks/failsafe/anti-tamper features on newer machines that are all but impossible for the average user to get past. If you are not familiar with electricity, you run a good chance of electrocuting yourself (especially around a wet washing machine) . If you insist on screwing up your Karma by stealing, I'd suggest searching the web for info on whatever brand of rejector (or whatever it's called nowadays) is on the machine and the machine itself. You'll probably need some specialized tool for the tamper-resistant fasteners, but these can usually be found on the web, also (once you figure out what they're called).

I just want to stick it to my landlord until I find a new place. They charge me for the w/d. I have to pay for the water bill for my place and the electricity to use it. When they showed me the apartment there was no pay to use machine...it was a normal one. I'm getting screwed in more ways than one. I've thought about just saving up some cash and buying my own w/d and just putting theirs in my parents basement until I move out. Seems a lot less illegal than tampering with the machine.

Yep, and when he showed me the apartment there was a normal 'non paying' washer and dryer...talk about bait and switch. Somewhere between me signing my lease and moving in, he pulled the wool over my eyes. I tried fighting him on this but he said the pay washer/dryer was there when I looked at the place.

If it is not in the lease, you have no legal standing. He is not forcing you to use "his" washers as you are free to do your wash elsewhere.

So, the answer is nope, he is not forcing you.

Now, here is the kicker. I assume you know the difference between the terms "hacker" and "cracker" but just in case, here is an oversimplification, again: a hacker seeks for knowledge; how something works, how to do/build something, period. A cracker is a hacker seeking to use information for harm, whether it be for revenge or whatever, and his/her use if the knowledge is "illegal". Also remember, the law will not care what you say about what "was before" if your lease does not contain a clause stating the washer/dryers were free. Heck, get a washboard and a galvanized tub (or someone mentioned the bathtub) and put a little elbow grease into it. You won't be paying him then .

I did find out from another tenant that the top up machine that is in our building reads the new ten dollar bills as either a $20 or a $50, there's some sort of glitch with the system. I tried it today and it read my $10 as a 20. I guess people have said something to the landlord, but he's never done anything about it, so if he wants to continue to get ripped off...then I guess I'll keep using new ten dollar bills. I also had an attorney friend read my lease and nothing in my lease says I can't put in my own washer/dryer...I just can't take their w/d off the property. Maybe I should just sacrifice the closet space and get my own w/d

. Unplug the machine and take the back off. Not unusual to find a schematic glued to the inside of the panel. If you can't read the schematic, you don't need to be messin' with it. It'd be a good idea to spend $10-25 on the proper tools, so you don't mar the fasteners and give yourself away.